24 Youth Soccer Clubs Level Up to ECNL for 2025-2026
The ECNL soccer league is promoting 24 clubs to its top boys and girls divisions for the 2025-2026 season, giving talented players a clear path to reach higher levels of competition.
TL;DR:
What Makes ECNL Special
I believe the ECNL has become closer to a standard for youth soccer in America because it rewards hard work with real opportunities. Teams that perform well at lower levels can climb to bigger stages – just like these 24 clubs have done!
The clubs moving up to ECNL earned their spots by winning games in regional leagues, doing well at national events, and having success in playoffs – usually over multiple years of trying.
Boys Leagues Getting Bigger
Jason Kutney, who runs the ECNL Boys league, said: “Promoting clubs into the ECNL Boys is one of the most exciting times of the year because of what it means to these players and coaches to see their hard work rewarded.”
New Far West Conference
For the first time ever, ECNL is creating a whole new conference! Six clubs from the Far West Regional League will form the new ECNL Boys Far West Conference:
- Boise Timbers
- Capital FC
- Eugene Metro
- FC Portland
- Idaho Rush
- Oregon Premier
United PDX will also join them, moving from the Northwest Conference.
Other Boys Conference Additions
In Florida, Doral SC earned their spot after impressive wins, including reaching the U16 National Finals.
The Heartland Conference is adding three clubs:
- Kansas Rush
- Missouri Rush
- St. Louis Stars
Louisiana Fire will join the Mid-America Conference, becoming the first ECNL Boys club in that state.
Highland FC performed well at national events and will join the Mid-Atlantic Conference.
In my opinion, the New England Conference will become much more competitive with the addition of AC Connecticut, East Coast FC, and Scorpions Soccer.
Four clubs are joining the North Atlantic Conference:
- Delaware FC
- Philadelphia Ukrainians
- PSA Monmouth
- South Jersey Elite Barons
Los Gatos United will join Northern Cal, and Three Rivers SC moves to the Northwest Conference.
Girls Leagues Growing Too
Ralph Richards, who runs ECNL Girls, said: “The ECNL Girls competition standard is totally unmatched by any other league, by every objective metric, and it has been that way for many years.”
Girls Conference Additions
Missouri Rush will join the Midwest Conference after winning both U13 and U16 National Championships in 2023.
California Odyssey earned promotion to Northern Cal after consistently developing top players.
Greater Toledo FC joins the Ohio Valley Conference after winning multiple championships.
West Side Alliance enters the Texas Conference after strong performances at national events.
What This Means For Players
With these promotions, young soccer players all across America will have more chances to play against the best competition. Hard work and winning games at the regional level can lead to opportunities at the national level.
ECNL’s system of moving teams up based on actual results creates a fair way for clubs to advance and helps develop America’s future soccer stars.
Written By: Beau Bridges
Beau is the founder of SoccerNovo, dedicated to helping players and parents navigate the youth soccer landscape. As a former youth coach and soccer parent, he shares insights on player development, recruiting, and the ever-evolving soccer scene in the U.S.
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